Overview
Bardock (バーダック Bādakku) is a low-class Saiyan warrior and the biological father of Kakarot (more commonly known as Goku) and Raditz. He first appeared in the 1990 TV special Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku, and later received canonical development through Dragon Ball Super: Broly. He is a pivotal figure in the franchise, representing the Saiyan race’s tragic past and embodying the spirit of resistance against tyranny, particularly in relation to Frieza’s conquest of the Saiyan homeworld.
Appearance
Bardock strongly resembles his son Goku, with the same spiky black hair, stern facial features, and dark eyes. However, Bardock’s hair is more unruly and swept back, with a prominent strand hanging down his forehead. He wears traditional Saiyan battle armor, typically featuring dark leggings, a green scouter, red wristbands, and a blood-red headband stained with the blood of his fallen comrade (in the Z special version). In Dragon Ball Super: Broly, his design is cleaner and more simplified, with no headband and a less brutal appearance, reflecting the shift in tone.
Personality
Bardock is portrayed differently depending on the continuity. In the Z TV special, Bardock is a hardened and ruthless Saiyan warrior who slowly becomes more introspective and heroic after receiving psychic visions of Frieza's betrayal and his son's future. Initially cold and indifferent to his comrades and family, he eventually develops a deep concern for the fate of his people and Goku, making a desperate solo stand against Frieza.
In Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Bardock is reimagined as a more thoughtful and compassionate character who sees through Frieza’s manipulations early on. He chooses to save his youngest son by sending him to Earth, hoping to give him a chance at life beyond the Saiyans’ violent cycle. This version emphasizes his emotional intelligence and quiet strength.
Despite the differences, both portrayals share common traits: bravery, a strong sense of pride, and a deeply buried capacity for care, especially when it comes to his family.
Biography
Early Life and Saiyan Service
Bardock was born on Planet Vegeta and trained as a low-class Saiyan warrior. Like many Saiyans, he worked under Frieza’s Planet Trade Organization, conquering worlds for sale to the highest bidder. He led a small crew of fighters, including Tora, Fasha, Shugesh, and Borgos. Known for his combat prowess and efficiency, Bardock was a respected fighter among the lower ranks, despite his status.
Z TV Special Continuity: The Vision of Doom
After a mission on Planet Kanassa, Bardock is struck by a psychic Kanassan who curses him with the ability to see the future. Through these visions, Bardock witnesses the destruction of Planet Vegeta and the rise of his son Kakarot as the galaxy’s savior.
He attempts to warn the Saiyans, but none believe him. After discovering that Frieza plans to annihilate their race, Bardock races to confront the tyrant alone. Despite a valiant last stand in space, Bardock is overwhelmed by Frieza’s Supernova attack, perishing along with Planet Vegeta. His final vision is of Goku standing against Frieza, smiling with defiance—giving Bardock a sense of peace as he dies.
Dragon Ball Minus / Dragon Ball Super: Broly Continuity
In the newer canon introduced in Dragon Ball Minus and Broly, Bardock’s character receives significant revisions. Upon realizing Frieza's suspicious movements and hearing of a mysterious “Super Saiyan” legend, Bardock grows wary of the emperor’s intentions. He urges his wife, Gine, to help send their son Kakarot to Earth—a peaceful, remote planet where he can survive.
Unlike the original special, this Bardock isn’t cursed with foresight but is instead driven by instinct and a desire to break the Saiyan cycle of conquest. Though he still dies during Frieza’s destruction of Planet Vegeta, his legacy endures through Goku, whom he calls his “last hope.”
Posthumous Influence
Bardock’s presence lingers throughout the Dragon Ball franchise. Though he never meets Goku, his actions and ideals shape Goku’s destiny. Goku ultimately fulfills his father’s hopes by becoming a legendary warrior who not only defeats Frieza but protects the universe with his power and compassion.
In Dragon Ball Super, Bardock’s story is revisited, emphasizing his unique moral clarity among the Saiyans. He is portrayed as someone who, against the odds, tried to change the fate of his bloodline and his people—even if no one else believed in him.
Powers and Abilities
Combat Skills
Bardock is an exceptionally strong Saiyan for his class, capable of taking on powerful enemies with skill and precision. In the Z special, his battle experience and tenacity allow him to defeat dozens of Frieza’s elites singlehandedly. While not at the level of elite Saiyans like Vegeta or King Vegeta, his raw fighting spirit makes him a formidable warrior.
Ki Techniques
- Final Spirit Cannon – Bardock’s signature energy blast, used in his last stand against Frieza.
- Riot Javelin – A compact, powerful energy sphere launched with precision.
- Rebellion Trigger – A cinematic technique seen in Dragon Ball Xenoverse, symbolizing his resistance against destiny.
Psychic Visions (Non-Canon)
In the Z special, Bardock gains the ability to see the future due to a Kanassan's curse. This ability gives him glimpses of Goku’s battles and the fall of the Saiyans, haunting him until his final breath.
Family
- Gine (Mate)
- Raditz (Son)
- Kakarot / Goku (Son)
- Pan (Great-Granddaughter, via Goku)
- Gohan and Goten (Grandsons)
Transformations (Non-Canon & Game Appearances)
In various non-canon media and video games, Bardock attains powerful transformations:
- Super Saiyan – Achieved in Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock, a what-if story where Bardock survives and is sent back in time.
- Super Saiyan 3 – Appears in games like Dragon Ball Heroes and Xenoverse 2.
- Time Breaker Bardock – A version controlled by the Dark Empire, seen in Dragon Ball Xenoverse.
Voice Actors
- Masako Nozawa (Japanese, Super: Broly & flashbacks)
- Kazuyuki Sogabe / Keiji Fujiwara (Japanese, Z Special)
- Sonny Strait / Sean Schemmel / Mike McFarland (English dubs, various)
Trivia
Bardock’s character holds a unique place in Dragon Ball history—not just as Goku’s father, but as one of the first Saiyans portrayed with emotional depth and moral conflict. When he debuted in the 1990 TV special Bardock – The Father of Goku, he quickly became a fan-favorite, despite not originally being created by Akira Toriyama. Over time, his tragic backstory and solitary stand against Frieza solidified his place in the franchise’s mythos, eventually leading to his official inclusion in the main canon through Dragon Ball Super: Broly.
His red headband, one of his most iconic features in the original special, was originally a piece of cloth soaked in the blood of his fallen comrade, Tora. This symbol of vengeance and loyalty added emotional weight to his journey. In Dragon Ball Super: Broly, however, Bardock is redesigned without the headband, presenting a cleaner and more subdued appearance to match his reimagined role as a compassionate father rather than a vengeance-driven warrior.
Visually, Bardock is nearly identical to Goku, a deliberate choice by the creators to highlight their familial connection. Despite never meeting his son in the main continuity, Bardock’s legacy lives on through Goku’s determination, bravery, and defiance in the face of overwhelming odds. The parallels between the two—especially their shared opposition to Frieza—serve as a thematic link between father and son.
Bardock is a popular character in Dragon Ball video games, frequently appearing in titles such as Dragon Ball Xenoverse, Dragon Ball FighterZ, and Super Dragon Ball Heroes. These games often grant him non-canon transformations, including Super Saiyan and even Super Saiyan 3. In Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock, a what-if scenario shows Bardock surviving Frieza’s attack and being sent back in time, where he becomes a Super Saiyan and defeats Frieza’s ancestor, Chilled. This version of Bardock is sometimes interpreted as the origin of the Super Saiyan legend.
Interestingly, Bardock is one of the few characters in Dragon Ball to exist in two separate canon versions. In the original Z special, he is a hardened, battle-worn warrior who gradually develops a sense of purpose beyond fighting. In Dragon Ball Super, he is portrayed as more introspective and emotionally aware, particularly regarding his family. Fans often debate which version is superior, but both are widely respected for their unique contributions to the lore.
Like most Saiyan names, Bardock’s is a pun based on a vegetable—specifically, “burdock.” This naming convention aligns with characters like Kakarot (carrot), Vegeta (vegetable), and Raditz (radish), continuing the tradition of food-based Saiyan names.
Bardock is also the first known Saiyan to openly rebel against Frieza. Long before Goku confronted the tyrant on Namek and before Vegeta turned against him, Bardock made a desperate stand in space. Although his attempt failed, it foreshadowed Frieza’s eventual downfall and planted the seeds of rebellion that would later bloom in Goku’s generation.
Throughout the franchise’s expanded media, Bardock has appeared in various timelines and alternate realities. In some versions, he becomes a hero who changes history, while in others, he falls under dark influence, such as when he is mind-controlled by the Dark Empire in Xenoverse 2. Regardless of the continuity, his story consistently explores themes of fate, legacy, and the capacity for change—even within a warrior born into a violent race.